Sorting the Impossible – The Life and Service of Anna Mae Robertson

Anna Mae Robertson, a pioneering member of the U.S. Army’s only all-Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps battalion to serve overseas during World War II, passed away in late May 2025 in Milwaukee at a well-deserved 101 years old. Her life was a testament to quiet courage, unwavering dedication to duty in the face of adversity, and the enduring importance of service, a legacy that though long overlooked, finally received its due recognition in her later years.

Born Anna Mae Wilson in Arkansas, circa 1924, she would later make Milwaukee her long-time home. But it was her decision as a young woman during a tumultuous period in world history that would etch her name into the annals of American military service. In 1945, as World War II raged, Robertson enlisted in the Army, joining the ranks of women stepping forward to contribute to the war effort.

She was assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an extraordinary unit unique in American military history. The "Six Triple Eight," as they came to be known, was comprised entirely of African American women. Their mission, though seemingly mundane, was critical to the morale of millions of American servicemen deployed across the European Theater of Operations. An enormous backlog of mail - letters and packages from loved ones - had accumulated, creating a logistical nightmare and dampening spirits on the front lines. Estimates suggested a two to three-year pile-up, totaling over 17 million pieces of correspondence.

The Army gave the 855 women of the 6888th a daunting task: clear the backlog in six months. Deployed to Birmingham, England, in February 1945, the unit faced challenging conditions. They worked in unheated, poorly lit, and often rodent-infested warehouses, around the clock, in three shifts. Beyond the demanding nature of the work itself, these women also contended with the realities of a segregated military and the societal prejudices of the era, both as women and as African Americans. They even faced the dangers of war, with German V-1 buzz bombs occasionally threatening their area of operation.

Operating under the poignant motto, "No Mail, Low Morale," Private First Class Robertson and her fellow WACs developed their own efficient systems for sorting and routing the mountains of mail. Their dedication was relentless. They processed an average of 65,000 pieces of mail per shift, accomplishing in just three months what they had been given six months to do. After clearing the backlog in England, the unit moved to Rouen, France, to continue their vital work. Upon returning home in December 1945, the trailblazing women of the Six Triple Eight received no fanfare, no parades, no widespread recognition for their remarkable achievements and their unique contribution to the war effort. Their story, like those of many Black service members of their generation, was largely overshadowed and forgotten for decades.

Anna Mae Robertson transitioned to civilian life, eventually settling in Milwaukee. She married John Robertson, also a World War II veteran, and together they raised eight children. Eight. As if being in WWII wasn’t enough of a challenge. She dedicated many years to caring for others as a nursing assistant, working at institutions including Marquette University, St. Camillus Health Center, and the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee.

The quiet dignity with which Robertson and her fellow 6888th veterans lived their post-war lives belied the significance of their service. However, in recent decades, their story began to surface, thanks to the efforts of historians, documentary filmmakers, and dedicated advocates, including Wisconsin's own Congresswoman Gwen Moore. Recognition, though belated, finally came. Robertson herself received several individual accolades and medals in her later years. In 2014, at the age of 90, she was formally honored for her service. The entire 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was eventually awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation's highest civilian honors, with legislation signed into law in March 2022. For Robertson, this meant she was able, as Rep. Moore eloquently stated, "to receive her flowers while she could still smell them." The unit's story gained even wider prominence with the release of a major motion picture directed by Tyler Perry in 2024, bringing their incredible contributions to a global audience. In February 2025, shortly before her passing, a 100-year-old Robertson was celebrated by her Milwaukee community, including the NAACP and the Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, for her barrier-breaking service. Her life stood as an inspiration, a reminder of the profound impact of those who serve under challenging circumstances.

Anna Mae Robertson's death at 101 marks the end of a remarkable life, one woven into the fabric of American history. Her service in the Six Triple Eight was more than just sorting mail; it was an act of patriotism, resilience, and a quiet defiance against the racial and gender barriers of her time. She and the women of the 6888th ensured that a vital link between soldiers and their families remained unbroken, significantly boosting morale and contributing to the Allied victory. Her legacy will endure, a story of a woman who, alongside her sisters-in-arms, delivered hope when it was needed most. From a combat veteran who understands that hope all too well, thank you Mrs. Robertson for being a shining light for those who needed it.